Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Interest from Jeongjin
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After Sang-su poured out Jeong-hyeon's story in one go and left,
Jun-won sat alone in the office, lost in thought.
An unregistered hunter at level 3?
It was only natural to assume F-rank.
In this day and age, who would hide their rank and operate unless they were F-rank?
'The proficiency level rose a bit quickly, but that can happen.'
It had climbed much faster than usual, but it was still believable.
He'd taken down two D-rank villains by himself—proficiency level was the least of it.
But the real issue was,
'If he's F-rank, how the hell did he take down two D-rankers?'
It went deeper than that.
No mere luck could explain it.
Sure, with some fortune, he might catch one off-guard and take him out.
But the other one? How?
On top of that, they were a duo Jun-won knew well, which made it even more shocking.
They'd supposedly died suddenly not long ago, but who knew the truth behind it?
That alone proved something beyond ranks was hidden in this hunter named Han Jeong-hyeon.
Jun-won pictured Jeong-hyeon in his mind for the first time and soon let out a gasp.
"Ah! Then the Association must already know."
No matter that he handled low-rank scouting, Jun-won held a key position in Jeongjin Guild.
His personal power was an impressive B-rank level 5.
So it wasn't strange that he had the perfect contact for this.
"Let me see..."
He scrolled through his phone contacts and his eyes stopped.
- (Association) Investigation Division 3 Chief Cha Ye-rin
Division 3 handled investigations into villains inside gates for the Association.
Jun-won had her number—the overchief herself.
He'd gotten it back when she first made waves in the Association, so it was quite old, but he'd never called her once.
"Why bother? She wouldn't even listen."
Ye-rin was a big name in the hunter world, no question.
As soon as her A-rank trait went public, guilds nationwide—even foreign ones—showered her with offers, but she chose the Association, fueling her fame even more.
Jun-won wasn't one for personal gain, but he didn't think it wise.
She ignored all backroom deals, even reporting them boldly to internal affairs or investigators.
Now she was a pie in the sky—everyone lusted after her, but none dared touch.
'Tsk, I don't want to call her unless I have to.'
Her image intimidated Jun-won too.
They were similar in age, awakened around the same time as high-rankers, and had chatted a few times naturally.
But he couldn't guess her intentions at all.
He'd even tried bonding over their shared surname.
"Haha, Hunter Ye-rin, you're a Cha too? Haven't seen many Chas before."
"Yeah, so?"
What do you say to that?
He wasn't genuinely thrilled about another Cha; she knew it was networking.
No wonder her nickname among hunters who knew her was "pretty stone bitch."
But now wasn't the time to be picky.
If Han Jeong-hyeon was a gem buried in mud, he had to dig it up, no holds barred.
Rrring—
He dialed reluctantly, but she didn't pick up.
For Jun-won, rarely ignored on calls, it was a novel experience.
Just as he thought to hang up, a voice came through.
- Yes, this is Investigation Division 3 Chief Cha Ye-rin.
"Ah, Chief Cha. This is Cha Jun-won from Jeongjin."
- Yes, go ahead.
Predictably bloodless.
If she'd been rude or curt, he might've gotten annoyed, but her voice was warm and polite, leaving no room for complaint.
This time, though, Jun-won didn't back down.
"It's about a Hunter Han Jeong-hyeon—do you know him?"
Best to go straight at her.
Beating around the bush would just tire him out.
A telling reaction came back.
- Ah, Hunter Han Jeong-hyeon? No idea.
"Doesn't sound like it."
- I don't.
"He took down the Mask duo—wouldn't that be negligence if you didn't know?"
- No. Hanging up now.
Utterly shameless.
If she truly didn't know, she'd ask "Who?" But "Ah, Hunter Han Jeong-hyeon?" then denying it? Pure evasion.
Someone like Cha Ye-rin wouldn't slip; she was toying with him on purpose.
Meaning she knew but wouldn't tell.
But Jun-won didn't yield easily.
He grinned and tossed out a line.
"If you don't know, then no issue recruiting him to Jeongjin, right?"
- ...Do what you want. I'm hanging up for real.
Click.
On the surface, zero gains for Jun-won.
But in truth,
'At least Cha Ye-rin acknowledges him as talent.'
She knew him, and his recruitment mention shook her a bit.
She was watching him too.
Jun-won pressed one of the call buttons on his desk.
A man entered the office soon after.
"You called?"
'Yes, Assistant Manager Seo Jin-uk. Got a favor to ask."
"Just say it."
It was Seo Jin-uk, who worked under him.
C-rank level 3 hunter, sure, but he'd poured passion into desk work since joining Jeongjin—his field experience outstripped Jun-won's, making him a veteran among veterans.
Jun-won always consulted him on heavy scouting jobs.
Calling Jin-uk meant Jun-won had decided.
"Han Jeong-hyeon, unregistered. Estimated level 3. Look into him. I'll send the file."
"Yes, Team Leader."
Jin-uk left, and Jun-won sank deep into his chair.
"Unregistered..."
Jun-won, nearing five years awakened, was seasoned himself.
But the era of the "unregistered hunter romance" was even older.
Back when guild founders were active.
Maybe Jeong-hyeon embodied that lost "romance" of unregistered hunters.
Digging him up could open paths upward from HR Team 2.
An elderly man appeared in Jun-won's mind.
Jeongjin's pinnacle, a true pillar of Korean hunters.
"Guild Master, with his endless romantic talk, would absolutely love it."
A thick smile spread across Jun-won's lips.
***
- 10,153,000 Korean Hunter Association
"Kugh! Money's the best!"
Jeong-hyeon rolled on his bed, eyeing the bank app deposit.
The Rock Spider hunt netted just over ten million won.
After rolling a while, he sprawled out and muttered.
"Sigh... Could've made more if I'd dismantled them."
All because of those tantalizing Rock Spider byproducts flashing in his mind!
Normally, he'd dismantle each one carefully, but where was the time this round?
Dodging swarms, boss down, then bolted out in a daze.
But he couldn't blame the boss entirely.
Most of the payout was for that variant boss.
And Jeong-hyeon knew better than anyone this was ungrateful griping.
"Yeah, earning this much in a day? Where else?"
First hunt: 500k, villains: 1M, this: 1M.
His hunts were few, but his wallet had ballooned.
Before, daily earnings barely covered debt and food.
But one gripe lingered.
"Whatever—next time, let me hunt normally!"
Anyone watching would say his luck was rotten to the core.
His only normal hunts? First meet with Sun-hyeong's party in the "Withered Dead's Corridor," maybe.
Those pitying him might hurl stones if they knew he had an EX-rank trait.
'Well, no knives thrown is a win...'
Maybe this bad luck came from his beyond-rank trait.
Not that he'd give it up.
'Villains, variant bosses—slay 'em all.'
Grow strong enough, no one dares challenge.
Always cautious. Body first.
Rrring—
His phone buzzed. Not a text—a call.
'No one should be calling.'
Puzzled, he checked: Han Sang-su, unexpectedly.
Exchanged numbers pleadingly before parting post-Rock Spider; didn't expect a real call.
He picked up. Bright voice.
- Bro! Hope you've been well!
"Cut the 'bro'... Doing fine."
Sang-su's polite "bro" repayment for saving his life.
Same age, but he'd said it felt off; strong guys get "bro" or whatever.
- Bro, ever thought of joining Jeongjin?
"Huh?"
Big ask out of nowhere.
Jeongjin?
Must've blabbed after one call post-gate.
'Can't stop him sharing his story...'
Not Sang-su's fault; Jeong-hyeon couldn't dictate.
But his tale spreading? Unpleasant.
Sun-hyeong's newbie party overlooked it, but Jeongjin bigshots? Suspicious as hell.
'Still, asking to join means they see potential.'
Jeong-hyeon pondered.
Thought during Rock Spiders: can't solo forever.
Not some mid guild—Jeongjin, top-tier.
Few rivals in Korea, no clear edge.
But he shook his head.
"Thanks, but not now."
- What? But... Hold on! Someone wants to talk. Okay?
"Huh? Who... Yeah, sure."
Click.
Dazed from the start.
Probably Jeongjin scout.
Good opportunity, wrong time.
He had ways to boost value; time would skyrocket it.
Settling his disappointment as the phone rang again.
"Yes, Han Jeong-hyeon."
- Hello, Hunter. This is Assistant Manager Seo Jin-uk from Jeongjin Guild HR Team 2.